Bracing arrangement for tiltdozer blades



Feb. 15, 1966 c. M. FRYER ETAL 3,234,670

BRACING ARRANGEMENT FOR TILTDOZER BLADES Filed June 22, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1o ELE l 7 P n. I H

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INVENIORS CHARLES M. Perez LoYnL O. WATTS LEON H. W/IZ'T A TORNEYS Feb. 15, 1966 c. M. FRYER ETAL 3,234,670

BRACING ARRANGEMENT FOR TILTDOZER BLADES Filed June 22, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CHARLES M. Pays/2 22 Y LOYHL O. Wn'rTs B LEON IQ. W121" TORNEYS Unite 3,234,670 Patented Feb. 15, 1966 3,234,670 BRACING ARRANGEMENT FOR TILT- DOZER BLADES Charles M. Fryer, Tiburon, Calif., and Loyal 0. Watts,

Delavan, and Leon A. Wirt, Joliet, 11]., assignors to Caterpillar Tractor (10., Peoria, lll., a corporation of California Filed June 22, 1962, Ser. No. 204,323 9 Claims. (Cl. 37-144) This invention relates to a bracing arrangement for tiltdozer blades and more particularly relates to a bracing arrangement between a tractor and a forwardly extending blade member thereof for stabilizing and preventing blade push arms from becoming subjected to bending stresses, particularly when the blade is maintained in a tilted position.

Modern earth moving machines of the tiltdozer type are equipped with a forwardly extending and tiltable blade member which is ofttimes subjected to substantial side loads while it is being maintained in a tilted position. As viewed from the front of the blade, such a tilted position occurs when one side of the blade is raised higher than the other side thereof. Heavy duty push arms are connected between the vehicle and blade of the tiltdozer and are adapted to push the blade in a conventional manner for earth moving purposes. Braces are generally also employed therebetween in an attempt to stabilize the system to prevent damage to the push arms, particularly when the blade is maintained in a tilted position.

Conventional bracing arrangements generally provide that the blade push arms and other interrelated elements are subjected to considerable stress during particular phases of an earth moving operation. Furthermore, such arrangements separate the vehicle and blade member by a relatively large distance to thus increase the torque loads imposed on the system when the blade is tilted. These problems are further discussed in US. patent application, Serial No. 21,501, filed April 11, 1960 to Robert W. Lichti for a Diagonal Brace Mounting for Bulldozer Blades, now Patent No. 3,049,820. The above-men- Y tioned patent application is assigned to the assignee of this application.

The present invention provides a bracing arrangement for use with a tiltdozer which greatly reduces the possibility of damage to the blade push arms and other interrelated elements. This arrangement further provides a substantial reduction in overall tiltdozer length. In accordance with novel concepts hereinafter more specifically presented, the bracing arrangement of this invention comprises a brace member pivotally connected to the vehicle and a trunnion member slidably mounted therein which is universally connected to the blade. Thus, the

I stabilized blade may be lifted, tipped or tilted without subjecting the push arms and other interrelated elements of the integrated system to damaging forces, particularly when the blade is tilted.

An object of this invention is to provide a bracing arrangement for stabilizing a blade and interrelated elements of an earth moving machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bracing arrangement between the vehicle and blade of a tiltdozer to prevent damage to the push arms and other interrelated elements, particularly when the blade is tilted.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a bracing arrangement between a vehicle and blade member of a tiltdozer which is relatively durable and simple in construction and efiicient in operation.

Other and more specific objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away disclosing a tiltdozer employing a novel bracing arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the tiltdozer of FIG. 1 with additional parts broken away for clarification purposes;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view more clearly disclosing a critical portion of the bracing arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 discloses a modified form of the portion of the bracing arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a tiltdozer comprising a tractor 10 having a blade member 11 operatively connected thereto for earth moving purposes. Laterally spaced push arms 12 are universally mounted onto a frame of the tractor and to the blade by ball and socket joints 13 and 14, respectively. Tilting and tipping arms 15 are pivotally mounted onto the respective push arms by bifurcated lug connections 16 and are universally connected to the blade by ball and socket joints 17. The tilt arms may comprise hydraulic jacks which are arranged to communicate with a suitable hydraulic actuating source of the vehicle to effect selective tipping and/or tilting of the blade in a well known manner. A centrally disposed lift jack 18 is pivotally attached to the tractor by an apertured lug connection 19 and to the blade by a ball and socket joint 20 and functions to selectively raise or lower the blade member about the universal connections 13 of the push arms.

Novel bracing arrangement concepts of this invention comprise a preferably V-shaped brace member 21 which is connected to the blade by a connection generally shown at 22 and to the vehicle frame by ball and socket joints 23. As shown in FIG. 2, this bracing arrangement is arranged between the push arms and preferably medially thereof. The connection 22 comprises a trunnion 24 which is slidably mounted and journalled, preferably in the apex portion of the brace member. The trunnion is connected at its forward end to the blade by a universal joint connection 25. As will be hereinafter more fully understood, this simple and durable arrangement prevents damage to the push arms and interrelated elements of the integrated system, particularly when the blade is actuated to a tilted position by tilt arms 15.

More specifically, the connection 22 which illustrates the first embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises a pair of spaced, self-aligning bearing assemblies 26 and 26 which are arranged in a cylindrical housing 27 to compensate for trunnion misalignment. Abutment plates 28 and 28' are detachably secured to the housing and function to fixedly retain the bearing assemblies therein.

The universal joint connection 25 is shown in the form of a ball and socket arrangement comprising an apertured support bracket 31 which is welded or otherwise secured to a back wall portion of the blade. A pivot pin 32 is preferably secured in the apertures of the support bracket and has a spherical portion 33 formed thereon which pivotally mounts a mating spherical socket portion 34- of trunnion 24. Conically shaped clearances 35 and 35' are formed in the socket in order to permit substantial universal movements thereat. The longitudinal axis of the trunnion is preferably arranged in substantial intersecting relationship with respect to the axis of pivot pin 32.

From the above described constructions and arrangements, it is obvious that should the upper tilt arm 15, as shown in FIG. 2, be shortened to lower that end of the blade with respect to the other end thereof in a conventional manner, that trunnion 24 will be permitted to slide in the bearing assemblies 26 and 26 and ball portion 33 will remain free to slightly rotate in socket 34. This arrangement thus provides that stresses will not be placed on the push arms duringthis critical phase of tiltdozer operation. Thus, should side loads beimposed upon the blade during this tilting phase, damage to the system and in particular a bending of the push arms 12 is virtually prevented. It shouldbe further-noted that the raising or lowering and tipping phases of blade operation may be carried forth in an unimpeded manner, even while the blade is simultaneously maintained in. a tilted position.

Also, this bracing arrangement further provides that the blade may be arranged closely adjacent to the vehicle to afford a compact tiltdozer structure which is adapted to efiiciently operate in smaller work areas'than heretotore made possible.

FIG.*4"discloses a ,modified form of the bracing arrangement shown inFIG. 3. The corresponding numbered elements of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (having subscripts a) have similar functions. The primary 'diiferen-ces therebetween comprise the use of sleeve type bearing and bushing assemblies26a and26'awhich are secured in housing 27a and a modified universal joint connection 25a. In this embodiment, a ball portion 33a is formed on the extremity of trunion 24a and is universally mounted in'the mating-bearing-sur-face portions 34a, formed in the split support or housing 31a. Clearance 35a and 35'a are provided to permit universal movement oftrunion 24a.

It should be understood that the self-aligning bearing assemblies 26 and 26 of.the FIG. 3 embodiment may be utilized in lieu of the bearing assemblies 26a and 26a of FIG. 4. similarly the universal joint connection 25a may be substituted in-lieu ofthe connection 25 of FIG. 3 if so desired.

We claim:

1. An arrangement in a tiltdozer comprising a brace member pivotally mounted on a vehicle, a blade member arrangedadjacent to said brace member and adapted for earth moving purposes, laterally spaced push arms independentlyarranged on either side of said brace member and universally connected at their forwardends to said blade member, selectively extensible and retractable tilt arms each pivotally mounted on one of said push arms anduniversally mounted to said blade member for selectively impartingtipping and/or tilting movements to, said blade member,- and means slidably and substantially universally connecting said blade member to saidbrace member, said means arranged :on a first axis;at its connection with said brace member which substantially, in-

tersects a second axis arranged at its connection with said blade member.

2. The invention of'claim 1 wheren said-means comprises a trunnion member slidably mounted in said brace member and auniversal joint'means operatively connectingsaid trunnion member to said blade.

3; The invention of claim 2 further comprising hearing means slidably mounting said trunnion in said brace member for compensating for misalignment therebetween.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein saiduniversal joint means comprises a bracket secured to said blade, a pivot pin member having a ball portion formed thereon mounted in said bracket and a socket portion formed on said least one selectively extensible and retractable tilt arm pivotally mounted on one of said push arms and universally mounted to said blade member for selectively imparting tilting movement thereto and a bracing means arranged, independently-of said push arms comprising a trunnion member slidably and' substantially universally connecting said blade member to said vehicle for preventing, said push arms from becoming subjected to bending stresses when said blade is tilted.

7. The invention of claim, 6 wherein said bracing means further comprises a brace member mounted on said vehicle and having bearing means slidably mounting said trunnion therein and a universal joint connecting said trunnion to said blade member.

. 8. A bracing arrangement in an earth moving machine comprising; an independent, substantially V shaped, brace member mounted onthe said vehicle; a blade member arranged adjacent to said brace member andadapted for vearthmovingpurposes; a socket means in an apex portion of said brace, said socket means slidably mounting an elongated trunnion for. movement along its longitudinal axis in a direction generally parallel to the normal direction of movement of said vehicle;.and universal joint means operatively connecting said trunnion to said blade member for permitting substantialuniversal movement of said blade member, including tipping, while stabilizing said arrangement against'side loads imposed on said blade member.

9. An arrangement for a tiltdozer comprising; laterally spaced push arms, said push arms each having a pivotal connection on rearward ends thereof adapted to be mounted on a vehicle; a blade member; means universally connecting forward ends of said push arms at spaced apart positions on said blade member; a'brace member arranged, independently of, and between said push arms; tilt means operatively connected between at least one of said push arms and said blade member for selectively imparting tilting movement of said blade member, with respect to said-brace member; said brace member. having atleast one pivotal connection on a rearward-end thereof adapted to be pivotally mounted on a vehicle on a substantially horizontal and transverse axis, .with respect to the vehicle with the transverse location. of said pivotal connection of said brace being fixed; and means slidably and substantially universallyconnecting said .blade member to ,said .brace; saidv meansincluding a. socket and slidable pin connection which permits longitudinal movement of said blade with respect to said.- brace and said vehicle while constraining the. blade against transverse movement; whereby when .said arrangement for atiltdoz er is mounted on a vehiclesaid .blade .memberwill be ing a ground engaging vehicle, a blade member positioned adjacent to said vehicle, push arm members universally connected to said blade member and to said vehicle for pushing said blade member for earth moving purposes, at

stabilized when placed in a tilted positionby said tilt means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,685,751 9/1928 Pfau 30872 1,713,030 5/1929 Cummings 37144 1,997,001 4/1935 Lamb 3 7144 2,059,431 11/1936 Barrett et a1. 37--l44 2,308,613 1/1943 LeTourneau 287-88 2,311,553 2/1943 LeTourneau 37-144 2,775,831 1/1957 Rockwell 37144 3,011,276 12/1961 Likely 37-l44 3,059,356 10/1962 Lorang 37-144 3,122,850 3/1964 Rockwell 37-144 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,785 7/ 1953 Germany.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, BENJAMIN HERSH,

WILLIAM SMITH, III, Examiners, 

6. IN A TILTDOZER ARRANGEMENT, A COMBINATION COMPRISING A GROUND ENGAGING VEHICLE, A BLADE MEMBER POSITIONED ADJACENT TO SAID VEHICLE, PUSH ARM MEMBERS UNIVERSALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BLADE MEMBER AND TO SAID VEHICLE FOR PUSHING SAID BLADE MEMBER FOR EARTH MOVING PURPOSES, AT LEAST ONE SELECTIVELY EXTENSIBLE AND RETRACTABLE TILT ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID PUSH ARMS AND UNIVERSALLY MOUNTED TO SAID BLADE MEMBER FOR SELECTIVELY IMPARTING TILTING MOVEMENT THERETO AND A BRACING MEANS 